Profiled extruded slider devices and methods

ABSTRACT

A slider device and methods of making. The slider device is for use with a resealable package having a zipper closure, and includes a top wall with first and second ends, a spreader depending from the top wall, a first sidewall with a first hook construction extending therefrom, and a second side wall with a second hook construction extending therefrom. An extended length of profiled material is extruded and can be converted to form individual slider devices. The spreader can be tapered, either in its width or the distance in which is depends from the top wall. These slider devices can be incorporated into resealable packages.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to slider devices usedin conjunction with closure arrangements for packages, such as, plasticbags. In particular, the present disclosure relates to methods ofmanufacturing slider devices, the slider devices themselves, and thepackages incorporating the slider devices.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Many packaging applications use resealable containers to store orenclose various types of articles and materials. These packages may beused to store food products, non-food consumer goods, medical supplies,waste materials, and many other articles. Resealable packages havingzipper closure mechanisms are convenient in that they can be closed andresealed after the initial opening to preserve the enclosed contents.Goods that are not used completely when the package is initially openedrely on the zipper closure to reclose the package and keep the remainingcontents fresh. The need to locate a storage container for the unusedportion of the products in the package is thus avoided. In someinstances, providing products in resealable packages appreciablyenhances the marketability of those products. Examples of consumablegoods that are often packaged in packages, such as bags, with a zipperclosure include potting soil, fertilizer, pet food, dog biscuits,vegetables, cereal, and many different foods edible by humans.

[0003] For some types of resealable packages, the opening and closing ofthe zipper closure is facilitated by a slider device that is mounted onthe zipper closure. The slider device typically includes a separator orspreader-type structure at one end that opens or unmates the zipperclosure mechanism when the slider device travels in a first directionalong the zipper. The sidewalls of the slider device are configured sothat the sidewalls engage the zipper mating profiles and progressivelymove them into engagement to close the resealable package when theslider device is moved along the zipper in a direction opposite thefirst direction.

[0004] Improvements in the design and manufacture of slider devices aredesirable.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0005] In one aspect of the present disclosure, methods of making sliderdevices for opening and closing resealable zipper closures aredisclosed. Generally, the methods comprise extruding an extended lengthof profiled material that is then converted into individual sliderdevices by a variety of methods.

[0006] One preferred slider device includes a top wall; a spreaderdepending from the top wall; first and second sidewalls; and first andsecond hook constructions. In one embodiment, the distance the spreaderdepends from the top wall changes along the length of the slider devicefrom a first end to a second opposite end. This taper can be created,for example, by manipulating the configuration of the extrusion diethrough which the slider device is extruded. In another embodiment, thewidth of the spreader tapers from the first end of the slider device tothe second opposite end. This taper can be created, for example, bymanipulating the configuration of the extrusion die.

[0007] Alternately, the taper can be created by deforming the sliderdevice after it has exited the extrusion die.

[0008] Flexible packages are provided that comprise a packagesurrounding wall having first and second side edges and a mouththerebetween. The side edges can be side seals. A reclosable zipperclosure is provided along the mouth for selective opening and closing ofthe mouth. A slider device of the type manufactured above is operablymounted on the zipper closure to open and close the package. Onepreferred zipper closure includes first and second mating profilesdefining first and second shoulders, respectively. First and second hookconstructions are included on the slider device for engaging the firstand second shoulders as the slider device is slid along the zipperclosure.

[0009] In a particular embodiment, the disclosure is directed to amethod for making a plurality of slider devices, each slider devicehaving a first end and an opposite second end, a first side edge and anopposite second side edge, a top wall, a first arm depending from thetop wall at the first side edge with a first hook on the first armopposite the top wall, and a second arm depending from the top wall atthe second side edge, with a second hood on the second arm opposite thetop wall, and a spreader depending from the top wall between the firstarm and the second arm. Each slider device is constructed and arrangedto interlock first and second mating profiles of a zipper closure whenthe slider device is moved in a first direction along the zipperclosure, and to disengage the first and second mating profiles when theslider device is moved in an opposite second direction along the zipperclosure. The method comprises forming an extended length of profiledmaterial, and converting the extended length of profiled material into aplurality of slider devices. The profile material that is formed,typically by extrusion, comprises: an extended length of top wall, anextended length of spreader material depending from the extended lengthof top wall, an extended length of first arm material depending from theextended length of top wall, and an extended length of second armmaterial depending from the extended length of top wall.

[0010] The present disclosure is also directed to an extended length ofprofiled material that can be processed into individual slider devices.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a flexible, resealable packagehaving a slider device, according to principles of this disclosure;

[0012]FIG. 2 is a fragmented, cross-sectional view of the flexible,resealable package taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

[0013]FIG. 3 is an enlarged, schematic cross sectional view of a zipperclosure such as of the flexible, resealable package of FIGS. 1 and 2,without a slider device mounted thereon;

[0014]FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a process for extruding an extendedlength of profiled material that will result in individual sliderdevices;

[0015]FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a process for cutting individualslider devices from an extended length of profiled material;

[0016]FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a combined process for extruding anextended length of profiled material and cutting individual sliderdevices from that material;

[0017]FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the extrusion die taken alongline 7-7 of FIG. 4;

[0018]FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the extrusion die taken alongline 8-8 of FIG. 4, with the die in a first position;

[0019]FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the extrusion die taken alongline 8-8 of FIG. 4, with the die in a second position;

[0020]FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional side view of an extended length ofprofiled material produced with the extrusion die of FIGS. 8 and 9;

[0021]FIG. 11 is a schematic view of a process for forming a sliderdevice utilizing a crimper mechanism, the crimper mechanism in a firstposition;

[0022]FIG. 12 is a schematic view of a process for forming a sliderdevice utilizing a crimper mechanism, the crimper mechanism in a secondposition;

[0023]FIG. 13 is bottom view of an extended length of profiled materialafter the crimping process of FIGS. 11 and 12; and

[0024]FIG. 14 is a top view of a first embodiment of a slider devicemade by the present disclosure;

[0025]FIG. 15 is a top view of a second embodiment of a slider devicemade by the present disclosure; and

[0026]FIG. 16 is a top view of a third embodiment of a slider devicemade by the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] Attention is directed to FIGS. 1 and 2, which illustrate anexample packaging arrangement in the form of a resealable, flexiblepackage 10, for example, a polymeric package such as a plastic bag,having a resealable zipper closure 20. The flexible package 10 includesfirst and second opposed panel sections 12, 14, typically made from aflexible, polymeric, plastic film. The first and second panel sections12, 14 provide a surrounding wall for the package. With somemanufacturing applications, the first and second panel sections 12, 14are heat-sealed together along two side edges 13, 15 and meet at a foldline 17 (FIG. 1) to form a three-edged containment section; a productcan be retained within an interior 11 (FIG. 2) of the package 10. In theembodiment shown, the fold line 17 is the bottom edge 18 of the package10. Alternatively, two separate panel sections 12, 14 of plastic filmmay be used and heat-sealed together along the two side edges 13, 15 andat the bottom edge 18. In yet another embodiment, panel sections 12, 14can be formed from a tube-like sheet of material configured to formfolds at each of side edges 13, 15; side panels 12, 14 are heat-sealedtogether along bottom edge 18. Access is provided to the interior 11 ofthe package 10 through a mouth 30 (FIG. 1) of the package 10. In theparticular embodiment shown, the mouth 30 extends the width of thepackage 10; that is, mouth 30 extends from first side edge 13 to secondside edge 15.

[0028] Bottom edge 18 can include a gusset 31, seen in FIG. 2. Gussetsare known for providing packages with “stand-up” features. Gusset 31 ofpackage 10 has first and second gusset sections 32, 34, which areessentially equal in length. Preferably, each of the first and secondgusset sections 32, 34 is made from the same piece of material as thefirst and second panel sections 12, 14, respectively. Typically whenmaking gusset 31, a single piece of film is folded to form the opposingpanel sections 12, 14. Along the fold line between the first and secondpanel sections 12, 14, fold 35 is then formed, which results in thefirst and second gusset sections 32, 34 with the fold line 35therebetween. Eventually, heat is applied to form the side edges 13, 15(FIG. 1), which will form a seal between all four layers of the packagealong each respective gusseted side edge of the package.

[0029] A zipper closure arrangement 20 having mating profiles to openand close (unseal and reseal) the mouth 30 of package 10 extends alongthe mouth 30, preferably across the width of package 10. That is, zipperclosure 20 preferably extends from first side edge 13 to second sideedge 15. The zipper closure 20 can include a variety of configurationsand structures. Zipper closure 20 can be configured in any known manner,for example, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,240,241; 4,246,288;and 4,437,293; each of which is incorporated by reference herein. By theterm “zipper closure” or “zipper closure mechanism,” it is meant astructure having opposite interlocking or mating profiled elements that,under the application of pressure, will interlock and close the regionbetween the profiles.

[0030] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, zipper closure 20 has a first matingprofile 22 and a second mating profile 24 which engage and disengage, asappropriate, to open and close package 10. In particular, first matingmember 26 of first mating profile 22, and second mating member 28 ofsecond mating profile 24 interlock as appropriate, to engage anddisengage mating profiles 22, 24. First and second mating profiles 22,24 of zipper closure 20 are attached to side panels 12, 14,respectively, by sealing flanges 42, 44 as will be described in detailbelow. The transition area between mating members 26, 28 and sealingflanges 42, 44 is identified by shoulders 212, 214. Opposite sealingflanges 42, 44 are the distal ends 43, 45 (FIG. 3) of mating profiles22, 24.

[0031] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the resealable zipper closure20 extends the width of mouth 30 from first side edge 13 to second sideedge 15. Alternatively, the mouth 30 and zipper closure 20 could bepositioned on a package at a location different from the mouth 30 of thepackage 10, depending on the application needs for the package. Forexample, mouth 30 and zipper closure 20 can be positioned within one ofside panels 12, 14.

[0032] In some applications, the mating profiles 22, 24 are formed bytwo separate extrusions or through two separate openings of a commonextrusion die. In other applications, the mating profiles 22, 24 areformed as a single extrusion, which may then be slit and split apart toform two individual profiles. Typically, the mating profiles 22, 24 ofresealable zipper closure 20 are made of conventional polymericmaterials, such as polyethylene or polypropylene.

[0033] Referring again to FIGS. 1 and 2, slider device 50 is mounted onzipper closure 20 to facilitate opening and closing of zipper closure20. Slider devices and how they function to open and close zipperclosures, in general, are taught, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos.5,063,644; 5,301,394; and 5,442,837, each of which is incorporated byreference herein. Additional information regarding methods of makingslider device 50 are described below.

[0034] A notch 25 is disposed within zipper closure 20 in FIG. 1adjacent to first side edge 13 of package 10. Notch 25 is designed toprovide a “park place” into which slider device 50 settles when zipperclosure 20 is sealed and slider device 50 is at first side edge 13. Sucha notch 25 may decrease any tendency for an incomplete interlock betweenfirst mating profile 22 and second mating profile 24. A preferred notch25 includes two straight edges or sides generally perpendicular to eachother, and an opposed side that extends at, in a preferred embodiment,an oblique angle relative to its adjacent side. By “oblique angle”, itis meant an angle that is not substantially perpendicular or straight. Apreferred notch 25 is generally trapezoidal in shape Slider devices,such as slider device 50 mounted on zipper closure 20 in package 10, aregenerally well known. Referring to slider device 50 in FIG. 2, sliderdevice 50 has a top wall 51 from which depend first arm 52 and secondarm 54; first and second arms 52, 54 form exterior or external sidewallsof slider device 50. First arm 52, in particular first hook 62, engagesover shoulder 212 and second arm 54, in particular second hook 64,engages over shoulder 214. Extending from top wall 51, and positionedbetween distal ends 43, 45 (FIG. 3) of mating profiles 22, 24, isspreader 55, which pries apart mating profiles 22, 24 when slider device50 is moved in a first direction along zipper closure 20; when moved ina second opposite directional along zipper closure 20, slider device 50interlocks mating profiles 22, 24. The present disclosure is directed atimproved methods of making slider devices for opening and closing(unmating and mating) interlockable mating profiles.

[0035] The general concept of the methods of the present disclosure isshown in FIG. 4. An extended length of profiled material 500 is extrudedthrough die 100. This profiled material 500 will eventually provide aslider device that can be used to open and close interlocking matingprofiles of a zipper closure.

[0036] Extrusion processes are well known; they generally involveshaping a polymeric material, typically a thermoplastic material, bypassing it through a shaped die under pressure. In some embodiments,extrusion of thermosetting materials is feasible. Thermoplasticpolymeric material is typically provided as solid pellets, which aremelted, or at least softened, within an extruder. In some embodiments,other or additional methods for melting or softening of the material aredone prior to the material entering the extruder. The extruder providesthe pressure to force the material through the die. The extruder usedcan be a single screw, twin screw, ram, or any other type of extruder,Upon exiting the die, the polymeric material, now referred to as an“extrudate”, has a shape that corresponds to the die through which itpassed. The extrudate is typically cooled, for example, by air or water,prior to further processing.

[0037] Referring again to FIG. 4, the extended length of profiledmaterial 500 obtained from die 100 is wound on a core or the like toprovide spool 510. The extended length of profiled material 500 can belater unwound, as shown in FIG. 5, and individual slider devices 50 canbe extracted from the extended length of profiled material 500. In FIG.5, a cutting device 200, which can include a pneumatic or hydraulicpiston, has a blade 205 that cuts, slices, or otherwise separatesindividual slider devices 50 from the extended length of profiledmaterial 500. In another embodiment, shown in FIG. 6, the extendedlength of profiled material 500, after leaving die 100, can be cut,sliced, or scored with a rotary cutting blade 210, providing an extendedlength of segmented material 550. This segmented material 550 is woundon a core or the like to provide spool 515, and can be later process toprovide individual slider devices.

[0038]FIG. 7 shows a cross-sectional view of die 100 that can be used toprovide extended length of profiled material 500. Die 100 includes afirst passageway 152, a second passageway 154, and a central passageway155. These passageways, respectively, provide first arm 52, second arm54, and spreader 55 of slider device 50 of FIG. 2.

[0039] In FIGS. 8 and 9, a cross-sectional view of die 100, orthogonalto the view of FIG. 7, is shown; the cross-section is taken through thecenter of central passageway 155 of FIG. 7. In one embodiment of thepresent disclosure, die 100 includes an adjustable feature, such as armor wedge 160, which changes the internal configuration of die 100, inparticular, of the central passageway 155. Thus, the shape of theextrudate exiting die 100, in particular, the portion of extended lengthof profiled material 500 that forms spreader 55 (FIG. 2), is changed. Byvarying the depth of central passageway 155, the distance that spreader55 (FIG. 2) depends from top wall 51 (FIG. 2) can be adjusted.

[0040] Similarly, by varying the width of central passageway 155, thewidth of spreader 55 (FIG. 2) can be adjusted; the width of spreader 55is the distance between spreader 55 and first arm or sidewall 52 (FIG.2) and second arm or sidewall 54 (FIG. 2).

[0041] Generally, any portion of spreader 55, which extends betweendistal ends 43, 45 (FIG. 3), generally facilitates disengaging,unmating, unlocking, or otherwise opening mating profiles 22, 24;conversely, any portion of spreader 55 that does not extend betweendistal ends 43, 45 (FIG. 3) generally facilitates engaging, mating,interlocking, or otherwise closing mating profiles 22, 24.

[0042] The adjustable feature of die 100 is moveable, adjustable,pivotable, or otherwise can be moved from a first position to a secondposition. The adjustable feature can be made from the same material asdie 100, can be attached in some manner to die 100, or can be integralwith die 100 (that is, the adjustable feature can be a continuouselement of die 100). Typically, each of die 100 and the adjustablefeature is metal.

[0043] In FIG. 8, adjustable arm 160 is in a first, extended position,decreasing the area of central passageway 155 through which polymericmaterial can pass. In FIG. 9, adjustable arm 160 is in a retractedposition, enlarging central passageway 155; in the embodiment shown inFIG. 9, passageway 155 is essentially linear along its length. Asadjustable arm 160 is alternated between the two positions, the shape ofthe extrudate, particularly the extended length of material that willresult in spreader 55, varies. In FIGS. 8 and 9, polymeric materialwould pass through from right to left, as shown.

[0044] Referring to FIG. 10, an extended length of profile material 500,which has been extruded through a die with an adjustable feature, suchas die 100 with adjustable arm 160 of FIGS. 8 and 9, is shown asextended length of manipulated profile 560. Material that passed throughcentral passageway 155 of die 100 in FIGS. 8 and 9 formed extendedlength of spreader 555 depending from extended length of top wall 551;as adjustable arm 160 was moved from the extended to the retractedposition, an extended length of manipulated spreader 556 was formed. Asseen in FIG. 10, extended length of manipulated spreader 556 has ashaped, or patterned structure. Point VIII of extended length ofmanipulated spreader 556 was formed with adjustable arm 160 extended asin FIG. 8, and point IX of extended length of manipulated spreader 556was formed with adjustable arm 160 retracted as in FIG. 9. The overallshape of extended length of manipulated spreader 556 is a saw-toothpattern. In some embodiments, the extrusion may be not as precise, andinstead may form a sinusoidal or similar pattern.

[0045] In another embodiment, not shown in the figures, an adjustablefeature, which may include two oppositely positioned adjustable arms, isused to provide a taper to central passageway 155 (FIG. 7). Theadjustable arms can be moved from a first, extended position to asecond, retracted position. When in the extended position, the width ofpassageway 155 would be less than when the arms were in the retractedposition. Preferably, two adjustable arms are provided to provide asymmetrical deformation or taper to spreader 55, although in someembodiments only one adjustable feature may be used.

[0046] Adjustable arm 160 of FIGS. 8 and 9, and any other adjustablearms or features, are moved, for example pivoted, by piston 170. Toextend adjustable arm 160 to the position shown in FIG. 8, piston 170 isextended; to retract adjustable arm 160 to the position shown in FIG. 9,piston 170 is retracted. It is understood that positions between theextended position of FIG. 8 and the retracted position of FIG. 9 canalso be obtained.

[0047] The extended length of profiled material 500 of FIG. 10, havingthe extended length of manipulated spreader 556, can be wound on a coreor spool for later processing, can be immediately separated intoindividual sliders, or can be further processed as described below

[0048] In another embodiment of the present disclosure, various parts ofthe extended length of profiled material 500 (FIGS. 4 through 6) can bemodified after the spreader 55, or extended length of spreader 555, isalready formed. FIGS. 11 and 12 show a process for modifying the widthof spreader 55 of slider device 50 shown in FIG. 2; that is, the processmodifys the distance from spreader 55 to first arm 52 and from spreaderto second arm 54. Specifically, FIGS. 11 and 12 show a process formodifying the width of extended length of spreader 555. In each of FIGS.11 and 12, an extended length of profiled material 500 has lengths offirst and second arms or sidewalls 552, 554 with extended length ofspreader 555 therebetween.

[0049] A crimping mechanism 300 is used to decrease the width ofportions of extended length of spreader 555. Crimping mechanism 300 hasfirst and second arms 312, 314, connected at pivot point 350. Arms 312,314 have crimping ends 302, 304 and an expanding mechanism, such aspiston 310, opposite ends 302, 304. Ends 302, 304 are constructed toseat and press against portions of extended length of spreader 555. InFIG. 11, crimping mechanism 300 is in a relaxed position, with piston310 relaxed and no deforming forces acting on various parts of theextended length of profiled material 500, in particular on extendedlength of spreader 555. The undisturbed extended length of spreader 555is shown as thick section of extended length of spreader 555 a. In FIG.12, piston 310 has extended or expanded, thereby decreasing by distancebetween crimping ends 302, 304 via pivot point 350. Crimping ends 302,304 are brought together, thereby crushing, squeezing, or otherwisedeforming extended length of spreader 555 in the area where ends 302,304 contact extended length of spreader 555, this creates a thinnedsection of extended length of spreader 555 b. During the crimpingprocesses, extended length of profiled material 500 may be incrementallyindexed or may be continuously moving; in embodiments where extendedlength of profiled material 500 is continuously moving, it may bedesired to also have crimping mechanism 300 move with extended length ofprofiled material 500.

[0050] In most embodiments, it is desired that the extended length ofprofiled material 500 is not completely cooled after exiting theextrusion die when the crimping operation is applied. It is easier tocrimp or otherwise deform the extended length of spreader 555 while thematerial is at least partially molten or soft, so that the material issomewhat deformable, pliable, conformable, and the like.

[0051]FIG. 13 shows the resulting extended length of profiled material500 that results from the crimping operation of FIGS. 11 and 12. Inparticular, FIG. 13 shows a bottom view of an extended length of crimpedprofiled material 530 having lengths of first and second arms orsidewalls 552, 554 with extended length of spreader 555 therebetween.Extended length of spreader 555 has alternating thick sections 555 a andthinned sections 555 b.

[0052] It is understood that although crimping mechanism 300 was used toprovide the alternating portions of thick sections 555 a and thinnedsections 555 b, any process or mechanism can be used to deform, crimp,crush, form, contort, or otherwise provide the desired characteristicsto extended length of spreader 555. For example, in some embodiments, arotary crimping mechanism could be used. The extended length of spreader555 could be crimped by a rotating crimping mechanism having continuousdeforming features along its outer periphery. The outer periphery wouldmove at essentially the same speed as extended length of spreader 555.

[0053] Further, it should be understood that although FIGS. 11 and 12are directed at and described deforming or crimping of extended lengthsof profiled material 500, individual slider devices can be deformed orcrimped in the same manner.

[0054] Any extended length of profiled material 500, whether being anextended length of manipulated profile 560 such as in FIG. 10, or anextended length of crimped profiled material 530 such as in FIG. 13, ora combination of the two, can be processed into individual, separateslider devices. This can be done by any cutting mechanism, such ascutting device 200 with blade 205 of FIG. 5, a rotary cutting blade 210of FIG. 6, or any other device, such as a laser, water jet, etc. Theslider devices, cut from the extended length of profiled material 500,can have any desired shape. FIGS. 14 through 16 show three embodimentsof shapes that can be cut from extended length of profiled material 500.

[0055] In FIG. 14, slider devices 240 are shown; specifically, sliderdevices 241, 242, 243 are shown. These slider devices were cut from anextended length of profiled material 500 and have a rectangular shape.In FIG. 15, slider devices 250 are shown; specifically, slider devices251, 252, 253 are shown. These slider devices were cut from an extendedlength of profiled material 500 and have an elongated shape with anarrow at each end, with each arrow pointing in the same direction;slider device 252 is nestable within slider device 251, slider device253 is nestable within slider device 252, and so on. Other shapes, suchas semi-circles, are also nestable. Each of slider devices 240, 250 werecut from an extended length of profiled material 500 without any wastedmaterial. In FIG. 16, slider devices 260 are shown; specifically, sliderdevices 261, 262, 263 are shown. These slider devices were cut from anextended length of profiled material 500 and have an elongated shapewith an arrow at each end, but with the two arrows on a single sliderdevice pointing in opposite directions. These slider devices 261, 263,262 were cut from an extended length of profiled material 500, with somematerial wasted at each end. Any of these slider devices 240, 250, 260,or any slider devices made by the techniques discussed herein, can bemounted on a zipper closure 20 (FIG. 1) to form package 10.

[0056] The above specification and examples are believed to provide acomplete description of the manufacture and use of particularembodiments of the disclosure. Many embodiments of the disclosure can bemade.

What is claimed:
 1. A method of making a plurality of slider devices,each slider device having a first end and an opposite second end, afirst side edge and an opposite second side edge, a top wall, a firstarm depending from the top wall at the first side edge with a first hookon the first arm opposite the top wall, and a second arm depending fromthe top wall at the second side edge, with a second hood on the secondarm opposite the top wall, and a spreader depending from the top wallbetween the first arm and the second arm; each slider device constructedand arranged to interlock first and second mating profiles of a zipperclosure when the slider device is moved in a first direction along thezipper closure, and to disengage the first and second mating profileswhen the slider device is moved in an opposite second direction alongthe zipper closure; the method comprising: (a) forming an extendedlength of profiled material, the profiled material comprising: (i) anextended length of top wall; (ii) an extended length of spreadermaterial depending from the extended length of top wall; (iii) anextended length of first arm material depending from the extended lengthof top wall; and (iv) an extended length of second arm materialdepending from the extended length of top wall; and (b) converting theextended length of profiled material into a plurality of slider devices.2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: (a) winding theextended length of profiled material; and (b) unwinding the extendedlength of profiled material prior to converting the extended length ofprofiled material into a plurality of slider devices.
 3. The methodaccording to claim 1, wherein the step of converting the extended lengthof profiled material into a plurality of slider devices comprises: (a)providing a slice in the extended length of profiled material, the sliceextending at least partially through the extending length of profiledmaterial.
 4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the step ofconverting the extended length of profiled material into a plurality ofslider devices comprises: (a) providing a slice in the extended lengthof profiled material, the slice extending partially through theextending length of profiled material; (b) winding the extended lengthof profiled material having the slice therein; (c) unwinding theextended length of profiled material having the slice therein; and (d)separating a plurality of slider devices from the extended length ofprofiled material.
 5. The method according to claim 3, wherein the stepof providing a slice in the extended length of profiled materialcomprises: (a) slicing the extended length of profiled material with arotary cutting blade.
 6. The method according to claim 1, furthercomprising: (a) deforming at least a portion of the extended length ofspreader material.
 7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the stepof deforming at least a portion of the extended length of spreadermaterial comprises: (a) deforming the extended length of spreadermaterial to provide a varying distance between the extended lengthspreader material and the extended length of first arm material, and theextended length spreader material and the extended length of second armmaterial.
 8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the step ofdeforming the extended length of spreader material comprises: (a)crimping portions of the extended length of spreader material toprovided thinned portions of extending length of spreader material. 9.The method according to claim 8, wherein the step of converting theextended length of profiled material into a plurality of slider devicescomprises: (a) converting the extended length of profiled material intoa plurality of slider devices, wherein each slider devices comprises athinned portion.
 10. The method according to claim 6, wherein the stepof deforming at least a portion of the extended length of spreadermaterial comprises: (a) deforming the extended length of spreadermaterial to provide a varying distance between the extended lengthspreader material and the extended length of top wall.
 11. The methodaccording to claim 10, wherein the step of forming an extended length ofprofiled material comprises: (a) extruding material through a die havinga spreader passageway defined by an adjustable feature, the adjustablefeature adapted to provide a varying distance between the extendedlength spreader material and the extended length of top wall.
 12. Themethod according to claim 11, wherein the step of extruding materialthrough a die having a spreader passageway defined by an adjustablefeature comprises: (a) extruding material through a die having aspreader passageway defined by an adjustable feature movable from afirst position to a second position.
 13. The method according to claim1, wherein the step of converting the extended length of profiledmaterial into a plurality of slider devices comprises: (a) convertingthe extended length of profiled material into a plurality of sliderdevices, the plurality of slider device comprising a first slider devicehaving a first end and a second end, and a second slider device having afirst end and a second end, the second end of the first slider devicebeing nestable with the first end of the second slider device.
 14. Anextended length of profiled material configured and arranged to beconverted into a plurality of individual slider devices, each sliderdevice comprising a first end and an opposite second end, a first sideedge and an opposite second side edge, a top wall, a first arm dependingfrom the top wall at the first side edge and a second arm depending fromthe top wall at the second side edge, and a spreader depending from thetop wall between the first arm and the second arm; the extended lengthof profiled material comprising: (a) an extended length of top wall; (b)an extended length of spreader material depending from the extendedlength of top wall; (c) an extended length of first arm materialdepending from the extended length of top wall; and (d) an extendedlength of second arm material depending from the extended length of topwall.
 15. The extended length of profiled material according to claim14, wherein: (a) the extended length of spreader material has thickportions and thinned portions along the extended length.
 16. Theextended length of profiled material according to claim 15, furthercomprising. (a) a plurality of slits positioned along the extendedlength of profiled material.
 17. The extended length of profiledmaterial according to claim 14, further including: (a) a spool; (i) theextended length of profiled material being wound on the spool.